This is truly one of the gems of the collection: a Loningisa issue by Paul Ebengo (aka Wayo, or De Wayon) that came with an original sleeve!
Ebengo Isenge Paul was born in 1934 in the Maï-ndombe province of Belgian Congo, the eldest of four brothers. He became a well-known guitarist who had a flamboyant personality, described as a “Boute-en-train” (party animal) by the Dictionnaire Des Immortels De La Musique Congolaise Moderne. He is credited as being the musician who instilled in Franco (of OK Jazz) the passion for the guitar, though he was not his direct mentor on the instrument.
In 1952 he formed the Watam Group, who performed frequently at wedding festivities, mourning events or at other popular celebrations.
In 1953, Ebengo – via Henri Bowane – signed a long term contract with Basile Papadimitriou (owner of the Loningisa label). They immediately started recording for the label – and this disc was among their first records for Loningisa.
After a long musical career, Ebengo passed away in Kinshasa, on June 29, 1990.
Recorded in Léopoldville, Belgian Congo on August 12, 1953.
Released as Loningisa 112 and His Master’s Voice LON 1019.
Credits (based on personnel in Groupe Watam):
Paul Ebengo (aka Wayo, aka De Wayon) – guitar
Mutombo (?), Ganga Mongwalu (?), Bikunda (?), Nganga (?), Kadiadia (?), Sébastien (?) – vocals, maracas
Nicolas Bossuma Dessoin (?) – tam-tam
The flip side of this record can be heard at:
https://youtu.be/wIsF_VFzlHM
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